Inspired by the theme “Design Changes Everything,” the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) will present four new exhibitions as part of its 2015 programming exploring the impact of design in social, cultural, economic and political contexts. From problem-solving to propaganda, health and community to futurism, the design process is articulated and examined beyond its aesthetic and commercial values to reveal the myriad ways it influences contemporary life.

Museum of Design Atlanta

“At MODA, we believe that design changes everything,” said Executive Director Laura Flusche. “The design process can be used to solve problems small to large. We choose our exhibitions for their ability to demonstrate the power of design to affect change in the world."

Acknowledging that design is a force that has influenced the past and will shape the future, these exhibitions seek to  educate, inspire and inform visitors of all ages and avocations in the changing global community.

Preview of the Sustainable Shelter exhibition

Read on for a look at the 2015 line-up of exhibitions:

Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling Within the Forces of Nature (January 18 – April 5)

This exhibition discusses the techniques through which animals and humans have adapted to differing environments through an amazing diversity of structures. The exhibition investigates the ways that human dwellings extract, use and discard energy, water and other precious natural resources and reveals innovative new design solutions that can help restore the health and viability of Earth's natural environment.

Designing Healthy Communities: Active Design and Its Impact (April 26 – July 19, 2015)

The design of the physical environments in which humans live, work and play greatly impacts health and wellbeing.  Design can also support unhealthy habits and practices. Architects, interior designers and urban planners are responding to this problem with active design, an approach to the development of buildings, streets and neighborhoods that makes daily physical activity and healthy foods more accessible and inviting. The exhibition will explore the specific active design strategies that are used to promote physical activity and healthy living. The exhibition will highlight real-world examples of these strategies in use through case studies, videos, models and interactive activities.

3D Printing the Future (August 2 – November 1, 2015) 

3D printing technology and the open source communities surrounding it are rapidly changing the world by making the powerful  new tools of design and manufacturing available to a much wider audience. This accessibility ultimately allows individuals to design customized solutions to the complex problems around them. This exhibition will explore projects, both large and small, in which 3D printing technology is being used in innovative ways. From fabricating lighter components for airplanes to designing custom prosthetics, this exhibition will explore the exciting designs made possible by 3D printing and the many questions that these technological advances will raise for the future.

Make-Believe America (November 15 – February 14, 2016)

During the mid-20th century, the U.S. government sought the assistance of some of the country's leading designers to create international cultural exhibitions, most notably the World's Fairs. These exhibitions were created as government propaganda, which demonstrated the attractiveness and superiority of the American way of life with the ultimate goal of containing and even diminishing the threat of communism. This exhibition will explore the height of U.S. cultural exhibitions (1955-1975) and demonstrate the ways in which design was used as a persuasive force. The exhibition will provide examples of work created by brilliant exhibition teams that included designers such as Herbert Bayer, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and R. Buckminster Fuller.

MODA is located at 1315 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to  6:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.